Chapter 981: Self-Willingly Compete

Given Xi Huang’s vibrant phoenix true blood, Ji Yuan saw no signs of her impending death, yet he knew her words were true. Regardless of whether it would ultimately come to that, it was clear that Xi Huang seemed to trust him.

“Thank you for your trust, Fellow Daoist Xi. Whether your sacrifice will be necessary is still uncertain, but as I said before, the calamity facing Heaven and Earth is not a path of certain death. How can we not fight? Since my awakening, the name of Xixia Island has been renowned, one of the first two immortal cultivation sects I heard of. In my heart, I consider Xixia Island a model for the immortal path. I have already said what needed to be said; I hope you all will make your decision.”

Ji Yuan’s previous words had been quite impassioned. Now, his tone was less intense. As Phoenix Xi Huang had stated, the final decision rested with the cultivators of Xixia Island.

The cultivators of Xixia Island were astonished by the phoenix’s words to Ji Yuan, but they found it difficult to immediately provide the answer Ji Yuan hoped for. While Xixia Island’s collective reply might be hard to give, individual responses were another matter.

Seeing that no one among Xixia Island responded, Zhu Tingtao, fueled by a surge of resolve, spoke directly.

“Mr. Ji, I cannot control others, but if there is a need to fight for all beings of Heaven and Earth, and for the Great Dao, I, Zhu, will certainly not fall behind!”

“Mr. Ji, I, Chang, will too!”

“I am also willing to do my utmost!”

“And me!”

Following Zhu Tingtao’s declaration were several Xixia Island elders who had known Ji Yuan previously, as well as many cultivators who had only met him today. They comprised a significant portion, at least thirty percent, of the Xixia Island cultivators present.

As Ji Yuan showed surprise, Xi Huang merely smiled faintly, while Du Gu Yu stepped closer to Ji Yuan and spoke solemnly.

“Mr. Ji, our Xixia Island has upheld its legacy to this day. Though we dare not claim to be preeminent among all immortal realms, we do uphold the orthodox teachings of Xuanmen with a righteous heart. We pursue the Dao and cling to life, yet we do not fear death. As the Sect Master of Xixia Island, I will not let our lineage perish. However, I, Du Gu Yu, personally am willing, after ensuring a spark for Xixia Island’s continuation, to join Mr. Ji in experiencing some of the Great Dao revealed amidst the immeasurable calamity of Heaven and Earth! If we can comprehend this Dao, what is there to fear in death?”

Du Gu Yu could not represent all cultivators of Xixia Island, but upon hearing his words, Ji Yuan understood that this journey had yielded considerable gains. He bowed solemnly to Du Gu Yu, to Zhu Tingtao, to the many Xixia Island cultivators, and also to Xi Huang.

Ji Yuan said nothing, for that single bow conveyed his heartfelt gratitude.

“Senior Huang, how about we return to Xixia Island first?”

“Hmm.”

Suddenly remembering something, Zhu Tingtao quickly retrieved the last three volumes of *Yellow Springs* from his sleeve.

“Oh, right, Mr. Ji came to Xixia Island earlier to deliver these three books. It was only at my request that the matter was temporarily set aside.”

“*Yellow Springs*, there are indeed more, three volumes!”

Du Gu Yu took one of the books from Zhu Tingtao’s hand and looked at Ji Yuan in surprise.

“Mr. Ji, you are our guest. We haven’t even properly hosted you, yet you’ve already helped us so much. Please, come back to Xixia Island with us?”

In such circumstances, Ji Yuan naturally could not simply leave. He readily agreed, then, accompanied by the Xixia Island cultivators and Phoenix Xi Huang, flew towards Xixia Island under the radiance of the rising morning sun.

Ji Yuan intended to activate the Yellow Springs water, truly connecting the netherworld, and at a suitable future time, seize the fortune of the Heavenly Dao to bring forth the path of reincarnation. He also hoped that Xixia Island would not remain neutral during the great calamity of Heaven and Earth.

Ji Yuan explained all these matters concisely, but even without much elaboration, it was enough to astonish the many experts of Xixia Island and make Xi Huang realize that Ji Yuan already had a solution in mind for dispelling the malevolent energy of Heaven and Earth.

The Great Teleportation Array could obviously not be activated easily; its previous use for the phoenix’s situation was out of necessity. Now, even if they wished to activate it, it would not happen quickly. Therefore, Xixia Island naturally needed to remain near the Wutong Continent for a period.

After detailing the specifics within *Yellow Springs*, Ji Yuan’s primary concern was how much more Phoenix Xi Huang knew. However, after a private exchange, it only allowed Ji Yuan to vaguely guess at his own origins, without significantly increasing his understanding of the world’s true condition. Or perhaps, what he already understood was sufficient.

Nevertheless, Ji Yuan had other matters to attend to and could not remain indefinitely on Xixia Island, having already achieved a relatively satisfactory outcome from this trip.

As the saying goes, no egg remains unbroken when the nest is overturned. Although Xixia Island would eventually retreat from the world, it would only be to preserve its foundation. All immortal cultivators on the island who had reached a certain cultivation realm would not shrink back when the great tribulation approached, but would instead fight for that sliver of hope for survival.

After obtaining this result, Ji Yuan directly departed from Xixia Island. The many cultivators on the island began their seclusion or recuperation, especially Phoenix Xi Huang, who, though knowing her doom was unavoidable, refused to simply await death.

Half a month later, high above Xixia Island within the clouds, Ji Yuan, who had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes. Xi Huang, sitting opposite him, opened her eyes almost simultaneously.

“As Mr. Ji said, someone truly couldn’t sit still.”

At this moment, within Xixia Island’s illusory mist, an almost imperceptible streak of magical light extended upwards, heading directly towards the layer of powerful winds.

Xi Huang reached out towards the edge of the clouds, and an equally faint, almost inaudible, ethereal glow enveloped a section of the sky. The weak magical light flew towards her arm, but midway, it seemed to realize something. The light began to struggle fiercely but could not escape the glow, accelerating towards Xi Huang until she caught it in her hand.

“Hiss… hiss…”

Ji Yuan had initially thought it was a message-carrying flying sword, but to his surprise, it was a living creature. What Xi Huang held in her hand was a small silver-grey snake, starkly contrasting with her fair fingers and forearm.

“Hiss…”

The small snake appeared extremely fierce. Even held in Xi Huang’s hand, it continuously writhed, then suddenly twisted its body, opened its mouth to reveal sharp fangs, and bit down on Xi Huang’s hand.

However, the seemingly fair and delicate hand of the woman was not bitten through. The snake’s fangs could not even pierce the skin, merely pressing in slightly due to the pressure.

Ji Yuan squinted at the silver-grey snake. Though it seemed weak, its daring to bite a phoenix while captured indicated its extraordinary nature.

“Mr. Ji, we will handle the internal matters of Xixia Island ourselves. Though I am a dying person, I still have some strength left. With preparation, I will not faint from the tremors of Heaven and Earth. Please rest assured.”

“Very well. In that case, I shall truly take my leave this time, Fellow Daoist Xi, take care!”

“Mr. Ji, take care!”

After Ji Yuan and Xi Huang bowed to each other, the former unleashed his sword intent, transforming into a streak of sword light that vanished into the distance, instantly reaching an extreme range.

Only after Ji Yuan’s escape light disappeared from Xi Huang’s sight did she lower her head to look at the silver-grey snake still biting her hand, then shifted her gaze to Xixia Island below, shrouded in mist.

“Hmph, you troublesome creature.”

Xi Huang snorted coldly, transforming into a hazy glow and flying towards Xixia Island. Ji Yuan had spoken of many things on the island earlier; even if a significant portion of that could be surmised, she could not tolerate traitors within the sect communicating with outsiders.